Definition

One must make a distinction however: when dragged into prominence by half poets, the result is not poetry, nor till the autocrats among us can be “literalists of the imagination”—above insolence and triviality and can present for inspection, imaginary gardens with real toads in them, shall we have it.

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Friday, March 28, 2014

Artistic Interpretations with Margaret - Flowers

Welcome to "Artistic Interpretations" with Margaret. For March's challenge, I ask you to contemplate the hidden and obvious nature of flowers. Delve into the mystery, mythology, astrology, symbols, and distinct personality of your favorite flower. Think about why it holds meaning for you. What would it be like to traverse inside of its petals, what does it say to you in those quiet, contemplative moments…

And below is a You Tube video I found of "A Bloom a Day" - A Fortune-Telling Birthday Book. I have it on my bookshelf and really enjoy it.

Did you know that in the Victorian era, flowers held hidden meanings, also knows as "floriograpy"? Even in medieval times, flowers had specific moral meanings. Believe it or not, there is a specific flower for every day of the year.

I adore the purple iris. I was thrilled no end the first time I saw them in their natural habitat - it was a gift of beauty and joy to see them beside a bog garden; dappled with light, huge trees hovering over them, quite defiant, something so delicate surrounded by the rough and tumble of thick weeds and tall grass.

The iris was named for the Greek goddess of the rainbow. Iris was the messenger of the gods and rode the rainbow to and from the Earth in her multi-colored robes. The iris stands for many things: honesty, devotion, sophistication, sensitivity, loyalty, a bit of passion, and more. The flour-de-lis is a stylized iris and is the symbol for royalty and a symbol of France.

Guidance

Faith I found

by the ol' bog garden

wrapped in a lavender gown.

A show-stopper she,

draped across trail's path,

nature's fleur-de-lis, displayed.

Sword-like guards

warned "Just admire",

so I sat and listened

to secrets softly shared

of truth-filled beauty,

promises of love

and spirituals gently sung.

Wisdom comes in many forms

and grateful I'll always be

to have happened upon

this rainbow's drop

beside still waters

of the ol' garden bog.

by Margaret Bednar, originally written June 15, 2013

The garden shed's window is wide open for interpretation. It is not required it be an entirely new poem - if you would like to take an older poem and rework it to meet this theme, please feel free to do so. You may use my images, but I encourage you to do so only if you have a connection to the type of flower it is.

Please link your specific post to "Mr. Linky" below and feel free to write to more than one image or about one flower. As we know, Friday is often a hectic day, so please feel free to submit late and remember, Monday is "Open Link" here in the Garden. I look forward to your artistic interpretations.

Thanks for the prompt, Margaret, and loved your poem, its regal and shines like all spring. It made me think of my kid brother who loved to take macro photos of flowers. I had written a poem about this on memorial blog I tended for him for several years after he died, and share it here today with some revision.

SO exquisite, Margaret!! I love the theme for your challenge...I find the life of flowers so intriguing and inspiring.

Thank you!

Also, I watched a beautiful film on Netflix streaming that I've been waiting to watch, apparently now was the time!! It's titled, "Moving Art: Flowers" Filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg takes viewers on an enchanting journey as elegant flowers come to life through his stunning time-lapse photography.

Thedovcot : Today's flower is… Passion Flower Clematis or Clematis florida 'Sieboldii' it symbolizes ascension. A person born on this day has high expectations for which they happily strive. Admired by others for your clarity and singularity of purpose. Your ideals may be lofty but they are based on truth and love. :)

Thank you all for writing such lovely poems. I did not get around to writing a new one and i apologize for visiting and commenting so late - It's been a busy week for me and the next proves to be just as busy.

Wow! We are swimming in negativity from Facebook posts to news outlets. We can't climb out of the pit if we're always feeding on rea...

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